Afghan Taliban 'displeased' with Kabul govt's peace talks rhetoric

Expressing displeasure over the way Afghan government leaders have been dealing with the highly sensitive issue of the reconciliatory process, the Afghan Taliban leadership has reportedly said that it is not in favour of the other side "playing politics" on the issue, sources said.

While the Taliban never officially corroborated holding dialogue with the government, insiders too, are unwilling to make any public comments unless "substantial progress is made," reported the Dawn.

The reaction came days after Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani avoided any direct comments on the status of the reconciliatory process and Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah said at a public event that talks could begin in the coming days.

Dr. Abdullah had told cabinet members that Afghan interests will be ensured in the dialogue process and that people will also be "taken on-board" on when and how the dialogue proceeds.

This conflicting approach towards the peace talks has led to an impression that the two leaders heading the National Unity Government are not on the same page, fuelling apprehension amid the Taliban leadership that there has been no discussion among the leaders on the how to carry the process forward.

However, sources close to the Taliban said that the lull in the peace process is temporary because former Taliban leaders claimed that a delegation has been formed for the possible dialogue.